UNI Payday Game @ LSU/FSU/Miami?

[UNIAlum95]

I heard rumors from the press luncheon yesterday that UNI is considering a game against LSU, FSU, or Miami next year. What would your thoughts be on a game like this? The payout could be as high as $500K...

[DomeRanger Posse]

Is the physical punishment worth it? I know that it would only be one loss on the record, but not one of those schools is going to be a situation that we can physically stand toe to toe with. One loss is going to be tougher to contend with in a tighter Gateway conference, but the loss of a player, or the punishment that we are going to take is going to be a larger mental block that we'll have to overcome. I'm not saying that we're the little guy and that we'll just go play in our corner; imho, the reality of the situation is that these are not Iowa or Iowa State that we're talking about. These are the real big boys, and they ain't gonna let up on us because we're an FCS school. How would you feel about a loss where someone scored 70+ points on us? I've been on the sidelines for a beating like that, and it mentally shuts a team down.

All my opinion. I know it's not going to be popular.

[MediaPanther]

I personally think this would be a great opportunity for our program. I think this shows that we are becoming a program that people around the country are aware of. I doubt any of those teams would schedule us because we are a huge cream puff. There are plenty of worthless teams that would be a lot closer to LSU/FSU/Miami if they just needed a team to beat the crap out of.
I think the best atmosphere by far would be LSU. Miami is headed in the wrong direction and they won't even play on campus starting next year. Bowden would be fun to see, but the party scene at LSU is tops in the country....even bigger than Iowa, even though none of them would ever admit that.

[SteinPizza]

There are plenty of worthless teams that would be a lot closer to LSU/FSU/Miami if they just needed a team to beat the crap out of.
I think the best atmosphere by far would be LSU. Miami is headed in the wrong direction and they won't even play on campus starting next year. Bowden would be fun to see, but the party scene at LSU is tops in the country....even bigger than Iowa, even though none of them would ever admit that.

I like your optimisim Media, but let's not kid ourselves...that's exactly how they're looking at us (potential cream puff).

Of the three, Bobby Bowden has the reputation of someone who will run up the score, especially since his team has been down and he's looking to get back to the elite. Miami, maybe the same (FYI, the Orange Bowl isn't "on campus" - the main campus is in suburban Coral Gables). I just heard on Mike and Mike that Miami is unranked in the preseason for the first time since '98. LSU is very intriguing...great atmostphere (so I've heard), and a roster loaded every year with NFL prospects.

Some of this comes down to where we recruit, and UNI has traditionally grabbed some good players from Florida.

I heard through the grapevine that "Dukie" is coaching HS football near his hometown. If true, maybe we can use him as a spy and sneak in to a few practices in Tallahassee

[Chitown Panther]

I'd take the Oregon (possibility a few years ago) or Nebraska (only speculation)......before a Florida or SEC school.

The WIU game at LSU.....I still think that WIU was probably the only team who could have given Delaware a good game in the playoffs but there was alot on snow up in Colgate. Most games in Death Valley won't be close......

[Marc Wigim]

Is the physical punishment worth it? I know that it would only be one loss on the record, but not one of those schools is going to be a situation that we can physically stand toe to toe with. One loss is going to be tougher to contend with in a tighter Gateway conference, but the loss of a player, or the punishment that we are going to take is going to be a larger mental block that we'll have to overcome. I'm not saying that we're the little guy and that we'll just go play in our corner; imho, the reality of the situation is that these are not Iowa or Iowa State that we're talking about. These are the real big boys, and they ain't gonna let up on us because we're an FCS school. How would you feel about a loss where someone scored 70+ points on us? I've been on the sidelines for a beating like that, and it mentally shuts a team down.

Now see, I disagree here. LSU has played Appalachian State in the last few years and ASU gave them a serious ride. One has to believe that LSU knew what they were getting from a FCS elite like the Mountaineers: a win, but win that still provides LSU with a lot to work on, similar to when UNI played Iowa in 2005.

Miami has played teams like Florida International, who are likely on the same level as UNI and the result has not been a 70-point blowout. Call me exceedingly optimistic but I just see no possible way that UNI gets rolled by former powerhouses like Miami or FSU. I'm not going to predict a win, but I certainly don't see a beating. Heck, last yera's champion Florida only beat a really really bad Western Carolina team (3-8 I think) 66-0. I'd like to think we'd do better than that.

However, maybe I still have visions of Dennis Erickson in my head, but I wouldn't play Miami and FSU for the simple reason that they play dirty. We're classier than that.

[UNIAlum95]

I think it would be a great opportunity for our team to play any of these schools outside of our region. My biggest concern would be going there next year with the player losses we will see after this season.

Keep in mind this is a SIGNIFICANT increase in the $ brought in (it does cost more too) compared to the ISU payout. I for one think that this would be a great thing. ASU isn't scared to play at the big house in Michigan. I don't think we should be scared to go to Florida or LSU.

FWIW - Miami will no longer play at the Orange Bowl. They'll be playing at Dolphin stadium starting next year or maybe '09.

[Khan4Cats]

It's a tough decision, but one we will probably have to be making in the next few years. We need the money game, its a fact of life, and the FBS schools want to schedule a home game that they won't have to return.
But, as we continue to rise in success, fewer mid to lower-tier FBS schools will want to play us. We have Iowa State, but who's to say Chezik won't want to get away from that series after we smack him down this year. Minnesota played us once way back in 1989? but not since and not likely again as they have trouble with NDSU?
That means we will have to start to look and schedule the mid to upper-tier teams. We'll have to see how Appalachian does against Michigan and YSU versus tOSU. My guess is they will represent themselves well. But that is the level we are raising ourselves to and what we will likely have to see with scheduling in the future. So if its, Miami, LSU, FSU, Georgia, Oklahoma, or whomever, we want to be the best in FCS, which will almost certainly mean that the only ones in FBS who will be willing to play us will be the top as well.

[panther2317]

I've always wanted to go to a game at LSU or FSU...how great would it be to wear the purple and gold into one of those stadiums? Western Illinois played at LSU the year they won the BCS and held their own for about 3 quarters.

[Chitown Panther]

The OSU vs YSU game won't be a good indicator.....I dont' know wht Tressell would consider putting up over 50 pts on YSU.

Now with the ASU at Mich game.....people that think it will be close are absolutely kidding themselves......last year Mich put up 38 on Ohio State in a loss......I'm pretty sure they can put up 38 on ASU.......

But back to the issue at hand......I think Oregon offered $500K 3 to 5 years ago and we said no because the travel costs of flying 100 people, ground travel, hotels and equipment was about the cost differential of what Iowa State pays....

[UNIAlum95]

But back to the issue at hand......I think Oregon offered $500K 3 to 5 years ago and we said no because the travel costs of flying 100 people, ground travel, hotels and equipment was about the cost differential of what Iowa State pays....

That very well could be but we don't have a BS school on the schedule next year. Maybe it doesn't come out to a gain financially over a more local team, but I still think it would be a great experience.

Does anyone know what ISU pays? I have a hard time believing that they pay more than $200K. If so it is hard to believe you could spend an additional $300K in travel. Not sure what a charter plus a couple of nights in a hotel runs but I don't think it is $300K.

[Matt Trump]

I would much rather do this game rather than Iowa or Iowa State. An elite school will pay out a LOT more than the instate schools. 98% of the time the money game will be a loss anyway so why not get the most you can in one shot???

As far as the injury risk goes, thats crap. Injuries can happen anywhere or anytime regardless of the oppenent. Being scared that the big boys will beat us up is a terrible mindset to have as a fan. Its like Dan Hawkins said:

ITS DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL!!!

I remember vividly in 2001 when Kevin Stensrud hurt his knee against Wayne St in an insignificant game at the beginning of the year. The opponent was definitely inferior and a guy still got hurt.

[Matt Trump]

Does anyone know what ISU pays? I have a hard time believing that they pay more than $200K. If so it is hard to believe you could spend an additional $300K in travel. Not sure what a charter plus a couple of nights in a hotel runs but I don't think it is $300K.

I believe the ISU payout is around $350K

[MiloCat]

Didn't Southern Illinois play FB at Indiana in exchange for basketball at SIU? I would do that that with these teams (in addition to a payout).

[CincyPanther88]

I've always wanted to go to a game at LSU or FSU...how great would it be to wear the purple and gold into one of those stadiums?

If they played LSU, it'd probably be the only time they played in front of 100K people wearing purple and/or gold.